Capsulator



July 4, 1950 R. E. MOULE 2,513,581

CAPSULATOR Filed June 23, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 f@- 2' M 4@ i w N; mk x@July 4, 1950 R. E. MOULE 2,513,581

CAPSULATOR Filed June 23, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Qlzwm' July 4, 1950 R.E. MOULE 2,513,581

CAPSULATOR Filed June 25, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheetl 5 July 4, 1950 R. E.MOULE 2,513,581

CAPSULATOR Filed June 23, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 JZorRe ,5,

July 4, 1950 l R. E. MOULE 2,513,581

CAPSULATOR Filed June 23, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 sa 3 j a/ 33 July 4,1950 R. E. MOULE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 nvenov Rex EMO-fle @MQ/m,

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Patented July 4, 1950 p cAPsULA'roR Rex E. Moule, Worcester, Mass.,`assgnor to Norton Company, Worcester,

of Massachusetts,

Mass., `a corporation Application mueca, 1947,fseria1No.' '156,569

4 Claims.' (Cl. 1819) This invention relates to a machine for malr-l ingcapsules and for lilling them as they are made; It has for one object toprovide in connection with such a machine means for depositing incapsules, in a continuous process, a measured quantity of fillingmaterial. This material maybe liquid, paste or any material which can beap propriately handled by the device shown.

Another object is to provide meansfor form-- ing capsules of gelatinousmaterial in a contin uous process and for controlling the `formation ofthe capsules to insure accuracy and uniformity in shape and to eliminatedamage to capsules as formed.

Another object is to provide a machine of the type indicated in whichhigh production is possible.

Another object is to provide a method of `forming and filling anddischarging capsules.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specicationand claims. I y

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings,

wherein: l f

Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away and parts insection, showing one form'bf the device;

Figure 2 is a section taken at line 2 2A of Fig*- ure 1;

Figure 3 is a section taken on an enlarged scale at line 3-3 of Figure2; I

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure the parts in modified position;

Figure 5 is a section taken on'an enlarged scale at line 5-5 of Figurel;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of sule forming plates; z l I Figure 7 isa section taken at imei-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan View of a suitable ,cam for operating the capsuleforming mechanism;

Figure 9 is a section taken at line- 9-5 oiy Figure 1, with the rollsshown in elevation;

Figure 10 is a section taken at line ias-I8 of Figurel;

Figure l1 is a sectional detail generally illustrating a portion of themechanism 4shown vin Figure 3 in modiiied form;

Figure 12 is a section taken at line I 2--I 2 of Figure l1; l

Figure 13 and Figure 14 are sectionalviews taken on an enlargedscaleqand illustrating two steps in the capsule formation; and s ,y

Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating a lmeans and method for removingcapsules from the network in which they are formed.

Like parts are indicated by likev symbols throughout the specificationand drawings. f

The capsule forming mechanism is conveniently mounted within any'frame,WQlkbrSuD- 3 yshowing one Vof the capport. As shownv this supportincludes a member I, members 2 and 3 generally parallel to the member Iand transverse frame and supporting membersl, 4. I.These parts aresecured together by screws5 or'therwise. The member l may be fastened tosupport such as a portionof the machine by screws 6 or otherwise.

vThekcapsule'forming mechanism within the frame work or support abovedescribed includes guiding and supporting shafts 1, 1 which are mountedin the transverse supports 4. Die carrying members or'die blocks 8, 8are mounted to slide on the members 1. Springs 9 may be mounted on themembers 1 between the members 8 andthe springs are biased to move themembers 8 apart. Each of the die block members 8 is provided witha camcontacting member I0 which isv adjustably mounted in it and is adaptedto be contactedfby a cam which will be described below.

1 Supported on each of the members 8 is a die carrying assembly whichincludes a plate II held to a member 8 by one or more screws I2. Theplate isprovided with socket portions II3 which terminate in shoulders I4. Plungers I5 are positionedone in each of the .sockets I3 and theseplungers penetrate through the plate l I on both sides..1Attheir-rearzends they contact an actuating plate I6 which is providedwith rods I1. The rods I1 at their rear ends extend beyond the plate 8and are provided with abutment members .I8 adapted to Contact abutmentsI9 on a transverse member'20. The members I1 are provided with stopsv 2lagainst which springs 22 bear lat one end. .At their opposite ends thesprings 22 `bear upon shoulders 23 within sockets or depressions 2.4formed in the member 8. The abutment members I8 are adjustably receivedin the members I1. A rod- 25 passes through all of the plungerswl andsprings 26 bear at one end against the rod 25 and at the other endagainst the shoulders I4. Ihe springs are biased to withdraw theplungers and to hold them in contact with the actuatingplate I 6.

At their outer ends the plungers I5 are provided with knock outenlargements 21.

Fixed to the plate II is a plate 28 through which the plungers I5pass.Die members 29 arefixed one about each plunger` I5 and in the plate 28.Each die member 29 comprises a tubular die element projectingforwardfrom its respective die block 8, The tubular die elements of the twodies are opposed to vone another and axially aligned Anl ejecting orpresser plate 38 is mounted onv the outer face of the plate 28 and isheld in place byscrews 3|. Springs 32 bear upon the plate 38 and aremounted in the plate 28 and are biased to hold.V the plate 38 in theoutward position asshown particularly in Figures 3 and`5. `As vshownparticularly in Figure 5 the die members 2s have their ends inside theouter surface of the member 3D when that member is in the extendedposition'. Thiscondition isv also shown in Figure 3. In the finalforming position of the machine as shown in Figure 4, the die membersextend outwardly beyond the plate 3.0a because the latter has beenkdepressed against.v the resistance of the springs 32. The plate 30' islprovided with perforations 33 within which the die members 29 mayreciprocate with 4a relatively tight but movable t. Each of theperforations or openings 33 has formed in communication with it anupwardly extending channel or de`` pression 34. The purpose of thischannel or depression is illustrated in Figure 4 in which the finalcapsule forming operation is taking place and in which the two oppositeplates 30 have been brought into contact with thel ribbon of materialfrom which the capsules are being formed. As shown in Figure 4 and otherlater iigures the member through which the capsule lling is suppliedprojects almost to the edge of the die members 2Q and thus lieswithinthe relatively tubular cavity formed by two oppositely positioneddepressions 34.-

The material with which the capsules, are `to be filled is supplied by aSeries of passage members or nozzles 35' which may be enlarged as vat36. Anysuitable supporting or carrying means 31 vmay be used to supportand position the members 35 and 3.6.

As above pointed out the material of which the shells of the capsulesare formed may comprise gelatinous or comparable material. It ispreferably fed to the die forming means in the form of a pair of ribbonsor webs 38, 38. These ribbons are produced in any desired manner and theinvention is not limited to lanyy particular means or method forproducing the ribbons. The ribbons are fed toward the point of capsuleformation' and may pass about one or more feeding and guiding rolls. Inthe form shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, rollers 39, are mounted onarms 40 which are pivoted as at 4| on the member 2 or elsewhere on thehousing and frame Work' mechanism. For some purposes it is necessary tomaintain the ribbons in heated or relatively heated condition and wherethat is the case vthe `rollers-v39 are hollow and containheatingelements 42. These elements are shown generally in Figure 4 andin detail in Figure 10. They are connected with a source 'of heatingcurrent by electrical conduits 43. Any heating means maybe used and theinvention is not limited to electrical heating means.

After the ribbons v38 pass the rolls or rollers S9 they move to rollers4'4 Awhich are primarily feed rollers and are positively driven. vTheyare mounted in the members I and 2 and they may carry gears 45 and 45which mesh with eachother. The gear M5 and its roll 44 may be carried ona shaft 41 which is positively driven rwith the result that the feedrolls 44 rotate as shown by the arrows in Figures 3 and 4 and positivelyfeed the ribbon of capsule forming material toward the pointI of capsuleformation. Y

Below the rolls 44 in the direction of ribbon `travel is mounted a pairof rods 48. These rods are shown generally in the first four figures,and they serve to prevent substantial displacement of the ribbons 38 asthey move toward the` capsule 4forming zone. Ordinarily they are out ofcontact with the ribbons, and they are not, there- "fore, guide membersin the usually accepted meaning of that word. They serve, however, to`prevent excessive displacement of the ribbons.'

The member 8 may, in the form shown in Figure '7, be provided with aduct 49 communicating with thev interior of the member 8. A connector553 and conduit 5l communicate with theV duct 49. Pressure or suctionmay be directed through the duct 69 and the members 50 and 5l.

In Figures 11 and 12 a modified form of the means for lling capsuleswith material is shown. The structure shown in those iigures isgenerally the same as that shown in preceding iigures, eX- cept thatinstead` of a plurality of members 35 for supplying material to thecapsules, there is supplied a member 52. This member, shown particularlyin Figure 11, is sharpened or of reduced thickness along its lower edge.The member -52 is provided lwith a plurality of passages 54 which extendthrough it, and each of these passages communicates with a materialsupplying member 55'. The plate 3l! is substantially the same as thatshown above, except that the grooves or depressions 34 are omitted andinstead of that, the upper edge of each plate 3B is inclined or beveled,as at 56, to correspond in shape to the beveled or inclined edge 53 vofthe member 52.

After the two ribbons 33 of capsule forming material have passed throughthe capsule forming mechanism and when the capsules vare ccm-I pleted,the two ribbons have been compressed together to form a single compositeribbon 51 which is shown in part in Figures 3, 4, 11, 13, 14 and 15. Thecapsules 53 adhere to `or are held in the ribbon 51 to some degree. Someof them may fall free. Others may be retained in place. and it is usefulgenerally to provide means for removing the capsules fromy the ribbon.This includesy a pair of rolls or rollers 55, 59 which as shown inFigure l5 are positioned out of contact with the ribbon 51 `and arespaced apart ap*- proximately the diameter of `a capsule. The rollersmay be mounted for adjustment toward and from each other.

The members 59a, which may be rods similar tothe rods 48, :arepositioned adjacent the ribbon 51. They are not in contact with theribbon 51 are serve merely to prevent excessive displacement of theribbons. The members 59, as shown by the arrows in Figure 15, rotateinthe same direction as that in which the ribbon 57 moves. They willpreferably rotate ata somewhat higher` speed than the ribbon.

As the ribbon 51 moves downwardly away from the zone of capsuleformation, the capsules are brought successively into contact 1with oneor another of the rolls 59, which may be positioned one slightly abovethe other. Each capsule contacts at least one of these rolls and isrolled by it or otherwise moved by it out of engagement with the ribbonand hence falls free on one side of the ribbon vor the other, to becaught upon one or the other of the conveying members $11.

The capsules 58 fall free upon these members and are moved away to apoint of use or packing. Beneath the members 60 are conveying or drivingrolls 6I which rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figurel5. These rolls engage the ribbon 51 and move it steadily away from thezone of capsule formation. The rolls Si lare driven intermittently inthe same manner as the feed rolls. They maintain the tension on theribbon `51 and may be considered tension rolls for that reason. Theirspeed of rotation determines the stretching eiect which is exerted onthe ribbon 51 when the capsules are formed.

While many different means for moving the die assemblies towardeachother may be used, the

one shown herewith is convenient and it com-- prises a pair of similarcams effective upon the members I to force the die assemblies togetherinopposition to the springs 9. Thus two shafts 64, 64 are mounted in theframe generally as here shown and they are carried in the transversemembers 20. Each has provided lat its bottom the bevel gear 65 whichmeshes with a bevelgear 66 on a shaft 61. These shafts are driven inlthe direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 1, 2 and 5. Each shaft64 carries upon it a ca'm 68. The cams as shown generally in Figure 2and in detail in Figure 8 are shaped to provide a plurality of zones,the effect of which is indicated inthe legend appearing on Figure 8. Asthe cam for example moves in the direction of the arrows of Figure thereis a portion 69 concentric with the axis of rotation of the cam. Duringthe time that this portion 69 is rotating past the contact member l0 nomovement of the die assembly occurs. Following the portion 69 is aportion 10 which terminates in a curved portion 1l. As the portion 10 ismoving past the member Il) and in contact with it the die assembly ismoved forward. The stripper plates, that is to say the plates 3D, engagethe ribbons 38 and press them together. Following the portion 1| is anarc or portion 12 of the cam which is concentric with its axis ofrotation. During the time that this portion of the cam is moving pastyand in contact with the member l0 no further movement of the dieassembly occurs and the die assembly is substantially stationary in theposition land condition shown in Figure 13. Injection of the capsulefilling material takes place through the member 35' or the passage 54during this period of movement of the cam.

Following the concentric arc 12 of the cam 68 is arising portion 13.While thisportion of the cam is moving past the member I0, injection ofmaterial into the capsule has stopped, and the die assembly movesforward to the position of Figure 14, depressing the stripper plates ormembers 30 and causing the die inserts 29 to move outwardly toward eachothersothat their edges are exposed beyond the face of the members 30.They thus compress the ribbons 38 together and form the compositeribbons 51 and the depressed or compressed areas '63 aroundl eachcompleted capsule 58.

The dies remain in this position for a relatively short period,determined by the cam portion 14, which is concentric With its axis ofrotation. As the cam moves further, the portion 14 passes out of contactwith the member I0, and the cam portion 15 moves into contact with themember lll, permitting the die assemblies to be withdrawn from contact`with each other by the springs V9, which force them apart. Obviouslyother means mightbe provided for moving the die assemblies, but thosedescribed are suitable and effective.

The material used in making the capsules may be gelatin or any materialwhich can be treated substantially as gelatin is treated-namely, can beformed into ribbons and joined together with lling material to formcapsules. Obviously many materials which are not properly considered asgelatin or as gelatinous have mechanical and chemical properties whichpermit their use in forming capsules by means of the mechanism shown andin accordance with the steps illustrated.

Although I have shown an operative form of my invention, it will berecognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of partscan be made without departing from thegelatinous is fed past the rollers39 and 44 tok the zone of capsule formation. Periodically, at the timeof theformation of each capsule or each set of capsules, a measuredcharge of liquid orother capsule lling material is deposited in thebottom of the bag or bags formed by the joining of the ribbons 38.

Asshown in Figure 3, the parts are separated and a capsule 58 has beencompleted. The two ribbons 38, 38 have been joined together above thefinished capsule 58, as shown in Figure 3. That" portion of the ribbonswhich Will form the next capsule to be made is marked 62 in Figure 3. Atthe next operation of the cams 68 other capsules will be formed. Thedies first move to the position of Figure 13 in which the ribbons 38 areforced. together to form an initial contact substantially about acapsule space. This contact is broken or interrupted in the periphery ofthe capsule throughout an area sufiicient to permit the member 35 to liebetween the stripper plates 30, as shown in Figure 13.

A charge of material is then deposited and the die assemblies are forcedtogether by the cam mechanism. This position is shown in Figure 14.inthe position of that figure die inserts 29 have come suiiilcientlytoward each other to complete thecapsule about its entire periphery.

As pointed out above, the plates 30 are normally positioned forwardly ofthe leading edges of the dies 29 and thus the plates are the first tocontact the ribbons. The plates, since they are either cut away as at 34or inclined as at 56, enclose the bottom end or a portion of the bottomend of the members 35 or 52, and thus a partially lcompleted capsule isformed which is open sufficiently to permit the means 35 orv tion butthe capsule has been initially formed by the members 3U which, as shownin Figure 6v and Figure 12 in particular, have depressions or cavitiesof proper shape to give the capsule its initial formation.

When the capsule filling material has been inserted the movement of thedie members continues and they reach the position of Figures 4, 11 and14 in which the die members 29 have moved outwardly beyond the members30. These members are permitted to yield by their spring supports 32. Asthe die members move forward they press or compress the ribbon material38, forming about each capsule a depressed zone or area 63, as shown inFigures 13 and 14. This zone or area is muchy thinner than the normalthickness of the double ribbon 51 and is weaker. In general, sufficientseverance may occur atthis point to cause a substantial number of thecapsules to fall out of the ribbon 51 as soon as they have passed beyondthe dies or die inserts 29. However, sufficient of the area 63 mayremain intact to hold the capsules in place within the composite ribbon51, and the ribbon moves downwardly as indicated in Figure 15, carryingthe `capsules which remain weakly held in it. When the capsules reachthe members 59, they may readily be displaced from the ribbon 51 by the7. rotating members 59 and fall upon the' guides 60 and roll away toapoint of use or drying or other treatment.v

After a capsule or a series of capsules has been formed, as shown inFigures 4, 11 and 14, the dies move away and the parts return generallytothe position of Figure 3. As the parts return to that position, themember 30 is forced forwardly by the springs 32 and thus prevents theribbon '1 or the lower portions of the ribbons 38' from adhering to thedie members 29. Asthe` movement in the reverse direction continues, theknock out members 21, which are mounted upon the'plungers l5; contactthe capsules 58 and prevent the capsulesfrom sticking either within thedie 29V cr the plate 30. Means are thus provided for preventing diedisplacement of the ribbon and also for insuring discharge of thecapsule from the die which has made it.

lSeveral times above the expression a series of capsules has been used.This expression refers toa number of capsules which are madesimultaneously. As shown in the figures herewith, four capsules are madesimultaneously; this is, of

coursacaused by the provision of four inlet mem-` y,

bers l35 of four' passages in the member 52, and

the'- corresponding provision of four depressions or capsule formingcavities in the member 30. If desired, only a single capsule might beformed at. a time -or a larger number than four might be formed at atime. The expression above quoted refers, therefore, to the capsuleswhich are formed as a group or a series simultaneously. The method isthe same, whether one capsule or many are formed at a time.

having a-.presser plate surrounding its tubular diewelement and slidablethereon between a forward position wherein its forward face is beyondthe end of the tubular die element and a re-v tracted position rearwardof said end, spring means for biasing the plates toward their forwardpositions, a nozzle having its outlet end extending between the presserplates of the two dies, means for feeding a pair of webs ofcapsuleshell-forming material on opposite sides `of the nozzle past itsoutlet end and between the dies, asingle cam reciprocating each of saidcapsuleforming dies, there being one cam for each die, said cams beingformed to move the ldies toward one another until the presser platesengage and press the webs together, then to cause the dies to ldwell inthis position for an interval sufficient for injection of the dose ofcapsule filling material, then again to move the dies toward one anotherto move the tubular die elements thr-ough the presser plates, the latterremaining stationary in engagement with the webs, wherebyas said diesmove toward one another rst the presser plates engage the webs andtightly press them together over an area surrounding the tubular dieelements except for a gap where the outlet end of the nozzle extendsbetween the plates,

lll

8l thereby'forming a pocket into which a dose of capsule llingmaterialmay be forced through the nozzle, and whereby as the dies continue'` tomove toward one anotherv the tubular elements move throughAV the presserplates to pinch thev die' elementsbetween a .forward-,position where invits forward face is beyond the ends of the tu` bular'die elements and aretracted position rearward'of said ends, spring means for biasing theIplates'toward their forward positions, a set of nozzles, one for eachopposed pair of tubularl die-` elements, having their outlet endsextending between the presser plates and directed toward respectivetubularA die elements, means for feeding a pair of webs ofcapsule-shell-forming material on opposite sides of the set of'nozzlespast their outlet ends and between said die blocks, each one of said dieblocks being reciprocat'ed by a single cam formed to move the die blockstoward one another until the presser plates engage and press the webstogether over areas surrounding the tubular die elements except for gapswhere the outlet ends of the nozzles extend between the plates, therebyforming pockets into which doses of capsule filling material may beinjected through the nozzles, said cams being formed then to cause thedie blocksto'dwell in this poistion for an interval suficientforinjection of the dosesof capsule filling material, and then again tomove the die'blocks toward one another to move the tubular die elementsthrough the apertures in the presser plates, the latter remainingstationary in engagement with the webs, thereby to pinch the webstogether and form capsules.

r3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including mechanism forremoving formed capsules from the webs comp-rising a pair of rollsmounted on opposite sides of the webs out of contact with the Webs andadapted to engage the capsules'formed in the webs, said rolls beingdriven in thedirection kof travel of the webs.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further including knock-outmembers mounted for axial movement within the tubular die elements, andmechanism for actuating the knock-out members to drive them out of thetubular die elements as the capsule-forming dies move away from voneanother.

REX E. MOULE.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesv are of record in the file ofthis patent:

